Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England [Library Binding]

Diane Stanley (Author), Peter Vennema (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

"This biography of Queen Elizabeth I does an excellent job of describing the context of her life so that reasons for many of her actions become clear . . . The resulting depth . . . will give the book a wide audience."--Booklist, starred review. Bibliography included. 1990 Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The authors of Shaka, King of the Zulus vivify another colorful character as they recount the life and times of Elizabeth I, queen of England from 1558 until her death in 1603. They portray their subject as a wise, strong-willed ruler whose style it was "to use her wits rather than force" in dealing with her own councilors as well as the leaders of other countries. Through concise, skillful writing, the queen's involvement in the complex political and religious conflicts of the day becomes engrossing and easily comprehensible. With their attention to period detail--most strikingly the elaborate Elizabethan dress, jewels and palace furnishings--Stanley's paintings transport readers back to an intriguing era. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-- That most wise and wily queen of England, Elizabeth I, is the subject of this picture biography. The handsome illustrations, exemplified by the visualization of those small English boats set afire and launched to face the Spanish Armada, are worthy of their subject. Although the format suggests a picture-book audience, this biography needs to be introduced to older readers who have the background to appreciate and understand this woman who dominated and named an age, and of whom the authors write, "When it came to a clash of wills, the two houses of Parliament and all her councillors were no match for Elizabeth." The text is clearly written, explaining the main events and key decisions of Elizabeth's life and reign. For readers wanting more depth, a short bibliography of mostly adult titles ends the book. --Amy Kellman, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Juv); 1St Edition edition (October 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027868109
• ISBN-13: 978-0027868104
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #953,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Geography

More About the Author

Diane Stanley is the author and illustrator of more than fifty books for children, noted especially for her series of picture book biographies. SHAKA: KING OF THE ZULUS was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; LEONARDO DA VINCI received the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction from the National Council for Teachers of English. Ten of her books have been honored as "Notable Books" by the American Library Association and she has twice received both the Boston Globe/Hornbook Award and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Golden Kite Award. She is the recipient of the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Nonfiction for the body of her work.

She lives in Santa Fe, NM. Visit her website at dianestanley.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Start to a Lifetime Love of History, September 23, 2001

By 

Margaret P Harvey (Charlottesville, Va United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England (Hardcover)

I first read this book when I was in third grade and I must have checked it out from the library 100 more times. I was fascinated by the beautiful illustrations and by the true story of Elizabeth I. It really got me into history. Now I read 800+ page books about Tudor history and I can't help but think back to the days when i used to recreate the illusrations using my own crayons and muse over every sentence in the book. Starts a lifetime love of history, and for me, an obession with the Tudors. The illustrations are perfect and the content isn't too dumbed down, but it isn't too hard. Recommended for any child who ever wanted to be a princess or ever showed any interest in history.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literally changed my life, June 2, 2001

By 

Liz (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England (Library Binding)

When I was seven years old my mother gave me this book for Christmas. That was nearly nine years ago and I've since become an Elizabethan "buff" I read everything on her I can get my hands on. This is a wonderful book for any kid who has ever shown an intrest in history or being a queen or a king. Superbly adapted for the younger set this well written and engagingly illuatrated book on Elizabeth I's life is historically acurate. And for me anyway what looks like a life long fascination.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great overview for young people of Queen Elizabeth's life, April 10, 2004

By 

Amelia (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England (Hardcover)

Diane Stanley's biography of Queen Elizabeth I of England follows the great Queen's life from her father's divorce of Catherine of Aragon, to Elizabeth's death in 1603. Without bogging down in the details of Elizabeth's seventy years, Stanley has created a broad look at the important events in the Queen's life.

Stanley's artwork accurately shows the clothing and styles of the time. Anyone familiar with the portraits of the various members of the royal family will easily recognize them in Stanley's illustrations.

Stanley does an excellent job of taking two very complicated but highly significant subjects, the formation of the Church of England and why Henry VIII desperately wanted a son, and explaining them in a simple enough manner that someone with little or no historical background can understand them. Children will be able to read this biography without becoming lost in the multitude of people in Elizabeth's life, or confused about the meaning of the important events.